October 31st

Having recently finished the original Star Wars Trilogy, and with the help of some pirate-costume-finds at the swap meet, the initial plan was to go as a mix of both pirates and Star Wars characters.  But when we took out the costume bin and the girls saw our past oriental garb, things quickly changed, and this was the result (again):

Mike jumped on the change-of-costume development, making this the result:

A lot has happened since Halloween, there's been a mud run, Legoland, a birthday celebration, Thanksgiving, and a 10 year anniversary, not to mention the ever changing nature of these kids.

  I'd like to start 2013 with a clean slate, let's see if I make it.

9 years old

I remember turning 9.  We'd been in the US for only a few weeks and I was trying to navigate through a foggy world of incomprehensible gibberish.  My parents had gone back to Mexico to gather the rest of our belongings, leaving us with family friends.  And though they were gone, I woke up that morning to the most amazing birthday present.  Somehow while asleep, the weather had magically orchestrated something I had never before seen.  And I was sure, that the fresh layer of snow that covered the ground on that mid-April morning was there because it was my birthday.

Raquel and Mike ready for their Daddy-Daughter Date 9/22/2012

I don't really have memories of my birthdays prior to my 9th.  Maybe it stands out because that year brought so many changes.  Maybe it was because I was in a new environment.  Maybe it was the snow.   What ever the reason, it seems somewhat surreal to think that, as of 2 months ago, I now have a 9 year old.

It was out of the blue, but what Raquel really wanted for her birthday was to go horseback riding.  (I think it was because she had just seen Brave.)  We tried to make it a surprise and told her we were going hiking. I asked her to close her eyes as we approached the stables. However, as soon as we got out of the car, the horses made sufficient nickers to give it away.

It was just the two of us and we were both pretty excited.  I hadn't been horseback riding since I was 6 or 7 (and it really wasn't true riding because someone on the ground led the horse the entire time).

We rode for about an hour, and within 20 minutes I realized that the ride was going to be 40 minutes too long.  The way you sit, combined with the galloping motion, takes a toll on specific parts of your body.  Some which surprised me...like my knees.  But I stuck with it until it was over, despite my left knee's throbs.

Raquel was a champ, she did great.  But she too agreed that, though fun, it was a lot harder than she expected.  Lets just say, she's not singing up for any return trips any time soon.

When we got home we celebrated with cake, which Elena and Gracie helped make while we were gone.

I don't know how much of her 9th birthday she'll remember, maybe the soreness we experienced for days following will make it more memorable.  Regardless, I hope she knows, and always remembers, how blessed we feel to have her.

She's got it!

We tried a few months after she turned 5, but she wasn't ready.

With apartment living, homes with no space, and busy schedules, 

not much thought or effort was put into it, until now.

Within days of turning 8, another attempt was well overdue.

There is a long alley close to our house. 

Perfect for achieving the right speed to maintain balance.

With the other two girls, Mike's running shoes, and my camera in hand,

we headed out to document the monumental event.

He steadied her but for a few seconds as he ran next to her,

and within moments of reaching enough speed

she had it!

"That was way too easy!" I yelled while clicking from behind.

There are few moments from my childhood that are vividly fixed in my repertoire of memories,

and learning to ride a bike is one of them.

I don't recall exactly how old I was, but everything else about it is still so clear.

We were at a parking lot of a large supermarket. My dad steadying while running by my side. 

The exhilaration that rushed through me as I looked back towards his hand

only to realize he was no longer there and I had been riding solo for who knows how long.



 I saw those same emotions on Raquel's face as she rode back towards me, "I'm doing it, Mom!"

The next 3 pictures were taken in sequence:

Skills, I tell you.  He's got them.

And so it begins.

Way to go my little Raquel!

Labor Day

There is a wonder and excitement that we lose somewhere

on the road of childhood to adulthood.



It's too bad, really.  

One of my favorite things about having kids is being able to get a glimpse

of that energy and relive those moments through their eyes.

There was a little fair down the street from our house this past weekend.

We told the girls on Labor Day that we would go once it got dark.

We learned that Raquel is afraid of heights.



And did you notice Mike's super short cut?

He's come to terms with the fact that his lush, thick, mass of follicular glory, of days past,
is not coming back, and is slowly stepping into the sexy bald-man category.  I like it.

The whole night was particularly magical for Gracie.

Here she is waiting in anticipation for her first ride to start.

I wasn't allowed to get on any of the rides. 
I guess there is no hiding my current state of pregnancy.
And this fair was unusually restrictive.

Not even the Carousel could I ride.

Regardless, the girls had a wonderful time.  And I got a brief peek into the joyfulness of childhood.

Growing up in hot weather

It is almost October and temperatures have been in the mid 100s this week.  I'm usually all about the weather in Southern California, but this is a little excessive. Plus too much heat puts me in a bad mood. We've tried to stay cool this weekend by resurrecting the kiddie pool, lounging in the hammock, and keeping the ice-cream-man in business. 

 

It has been so hot that Gracie has resorted
to sleeping on the tile...because it stays cold.



We had our primary program in church last week.

With the chorus of every song you could distinctly hear Elena.  Her voice was so prominent that others in the congregation would periodically shoot glances at us with a smile and a look that said you know that megaphone-voice heard over all the other kids is your daughter, right?

This was here first primary program and she managed to make it through with only one potty break.

After it was over she ran down with a smile and asked,

"Could you hear me momma?  I was trying to sing loud so you could hear me."

"I heard you.  In fact, I think everyone heard you." 

I love how kids are so uninhibited.

Raquel did great as well, in fact, she was perfect. 

There was no wiggling or talking with the kid next to her.  She paid attention, she sang the words to every song, and she said her part flawlessly.  As I watched her I couldn't help but get emotional.  Not only because I was proud of her but also because in a way it saddened me.  She has always been a type of little adult, responsible beyond her age, but it was so magnified as she stood up there that it hit me just how fast she is growing.  She had lost all those little kid traits that Elena struggled with during the entire program.

Well almost all...

  She turns 7 tomorrow. Post to follow.

Toothless

I came home yesterday to this...

Raquel often smiles without showing her teeth.

I'm not sure why she doesn't like to show her teeth,

but now that her front tooth is missing...

she'll be less likely to show off those pearly whites.

I told  her this morning she should be proud of her new front gap.

Is is after all the new hot trend in dentistry.  Read the full article here.

She has now joined the ranks of Vanessa Paradis.

Not only is she a famous model and singer, but

she is hooked up with Johnny Depp--the most handsome man 

in the world (after my husband of course).

So nothing to be ashamed of Raquel,

show off that toothless smile!